Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos lawsuit is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos case exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos law exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.